The Swooping Snitchbug(サライムシ Saraimushi) is an enemy found in every Pikmin game so far. They are legless, round, flying insects that have devolved wing-like antennae as a means of moving. In Pikmin andPikmin 2, they have glass-like eyes with pupils, but in Pikmin 3, they have more realistic compound eyes. They swoop down, as their name suggests, and grab their prey with their claws. After carrying them for a few seconds, they throw them at the ground. This action would harm most prey, whereas Pikmin are simply replanted and reverted to their original leaf state. In Pikmin 3, Swooping Snitchbugs may also grab captains, much like the Bumbling Snitchbug.

These creatures will plummet to the ground if weighed down by a sufficient number of Pikmin, or with a singular Purple Pikmin, rendering it susceptible to further attack. Ultra-bitter Spray may also be used to freeze it in mid-air, causing it to drop to the ground, which is arguably easier, but of course produces no corpse, and may be considered a waste of sprays. A single Rock Pikmin can also weigh it down.

Should it throw a Yellow Pikmin that is holding a Bomb Rock, the bomb-rock will explode, killing the Yellow Pikmin, all Pikmin caught in the blast, and the Swooping Snitchbug. Occasionally, in the caves such as the Subterranean Complex, a Swooping Snitchbug might throw a Pikmin into the abyss below, killing it.

The position of the Swooping Snitchbug in the Enemy reel, which is otherwise alphabetical, indicates that the creature's name may originally have started with "flying". InPikmin, it only appears in the Forest of Hope on day 15 and forward, and in the Distant Spring on day 4 and forward.

Contents

Notes

Reel notes

"This rare species uses its antennae as wings."

Olimar's Notes

"The scarpanids originally lived on the ground, sporting poorly developed vestigial wings. This species developed enlarged antennae that can be used as makeshift wings. Scarpanids are attracted by the sight of large groups of Pikmin in cavalry formation and will swoop down to seize them. However, scarpanids do not eat Pikmin, and they will drop any seized Pikmin after a short time. The reason for this behavior is unknown, but I look forward to future research in the area."

Louie's Notes

"Remove the wings, marinate a well-marbled steak for several hours in a chipotle marinade, then charbroil to perfection."

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

"A Swooping Snitchbug attacks by snatching its enemies and throwing them to the ground. when a Swooping Snitchbug does this to a Pikmin, the force is enough to bury its victim -- this essentially causes the Pikmin to revert to a sprout.

When you encounter a Swooping Snitchbug, use your Winged Pikmin to attack the creature until it falls to the ground, then use your squad to finish the vulnerable enemy. If you don't have any Winged Pikmin, just wait for the Swooping Snitchbug to stop moving before you attack with whatever Pikmin are available."

"A member of the scarpanid family. Although originally a ground dweller, its oversized antennae developed into wings, allowing it to fly around freely. The snitchbug doesn't eat Pikmin, but rather picks them up, carries them away, and firmly replants them in another location."

Battle Strategy

Note: The following part(s) of the article is a strategy (or strategies); therefore, it is highly subjective, meaning it may not work for everyone.

Pikmin

These creatures can easily be brought to the ground by weighing it down with five or so Pikmin. Yellows are the best option to weigh it down. Afterwards, a simple swarm can defeat it. If the Snitchbug captures a Yellow holding a bomb, it will explode while it is in the air.

Pikmin 2

The same strategy from Pikmin can apply here. Alternatively, throwing a single Purple Pikmin onto it will weigh it down. Be warned, as on sublevels with abysses, the snitchbug can throw Pikmin down the pit. The snitchbug is much less of a threat in this game. It is advised to not use Purples on metallic sublevels, as there are often bombs on those sublevels.

Pikmin 3

In Pikmin 3, like in all of the other games, around 5 Pikmin are able to weigh the Swooping Snitchbug down, making it easy to defeat. It's recommended to use Yellow Pikmin to weigh it down, as their throwing height insures it will land on the Swooping Snitchbug, and the Snitchbug can fly higher in this game. If you have a reasonable amount of Winged Pikmin, swarming it will be sure to weigh it down. A direct hit from a Rock Pikmin will bring the Swooping Snitchbug down, similar to how throwing one Purple Pikmin on it will weigh it down.

Glitch

There is a rare glitch in Pikmin:
Once you've knocked the Swooping Snitchbug down to the ground, throw your Pikmin onto the creature and swarm it with all of the other Pikmin, which should kill it. Then, carry it back to the Onions by swarming the corpse. Later, you will notice the Pikmin you threw on the squirming Swooping Snitchbug are floating in the air, making the attacking motion as if they are attacking something invisible.